Jun 5, 2018 5:58:39 GMT
hitman
Normal Violet
Posts: 161
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Post by hitman on Feb 5, 2020 11:38:36 GMT
Hi all, I have a breeding pair of budgies they already laid eggs but nothing came of them a good couple of months ago. Now they have laid three eggs and the hen is sitting on them and rarley leaves the nesting box and sometimes the male is in there too. I was just wondering if there's any tips anyone would have. I have them on a good diet millet,seeds,mineral blocks, cuttle bone, and even made them some eggs the other day to eat. Ill get some fruit for them aswell. I will be doing some research on the subject but just thought I would post here as everyone is very helpful on this. I've uploaded the first egg I seen, dad and mum are the two yellow ones in the other picture. The eggs are now in the little circle cutout in the wood I added in the nest box
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Feb 5, 2020 14:57:53 GMT
Congratulations, mom and dad! Here's hoping you have healthy chicks. I'll leave the advice to the experts but I'm looking forward to seeing lots of pictures as the little ones hatch and grow (hint, hint).
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Jun 5, 2018 5:58:39 GMT
hitman
Normal Violet
Posts: 161
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Post by hitman on Feb 5, 2020 15:01:06 GMT
Congratulations, mom and dad! Here's hoping you have healthy chicks. I'll leave the advice to the experts but I'm looking forward to seeing lots of pictures as the little ones hatch and grow (hint, hint). Sure I'll add a few updates. I'm excited too I wonder how budgies I'll end up with lol
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Post by clt80 on Feb 5, 2020 18:37:18 GMT
Hi, I lined the bottom of a nest box with shavings I bought from a pet store so the eggs were 'cushioned'. The hen may scrat it about to get the shavings where she wants them. Once the chicks were born I monitored as their droppings meant the shavings needed to be changed frequently.
Calcivet is good to add to their water, laying eggs really takes it out of a hen. It can be bought online. Buy some egg formula and a syringe, just incase any chicks are abandoned or aren't getting fed enough. Much better to have everything ready just incase. As you've already said give them a good varied diet, clean cage, plenty of rest (go to sleep with no disturbances) etc.
Edit - are the breeding pair in a separate cage? If not they need to be really, otherwise another hen could attempt to destroy the eggs/attack the chicks when hatched.
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Jun 5, 2018 5:58:39 GMT
hitman
Normal Violet
Posts: 161
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Post by hitman on Feb 5, 2020 18:47:55 GMT
I seperated them from the rest of the flock just to be on the safe side. When I noticed the first egg the hen was in the box and another female was trying to get in. I brought them into the house so they have peace to raise them away from the other budgies. I will look into getting those things you mentioned. I've heard you may have to be prepared to raise the chick's by hand if the female rejects them. Theres now four eggs
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Post by Hezz on Feb 5, 2020 19:27:19 GMT
clt80 has covered things pretty well, I don't have much more to add. Once the chicks are hatched, check them regularly, as in each day. Make sure there is plenty of nesting material in the box so that the chicks can more easily keep their feet under them otherwise you run the risk of splayed legs. Also make sure their feet stay clean of poop and their beaks clean of food. If the hen feeds the chicks this last one isn't such a big deal, but a chick fed formula can easily end up with a deformed beak from a build-up of old food in and around the beaks.
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Oct 16, 2019 15:38:12 GMT
blumuffin
Normal Violet
inactive sorry!
Posts: 156
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Post by blumuffin on Feb 5, 2020 19:49:43 GMT
Oh wow!!!! I really hope they hatch! When i'm older i'm totally going to try and breed budgies. Not much to say here as everyone else has said most of the stuff. Just that if you want to, remember to handle them softly so that when they grow older they'll be hand tamed. Good for you!!! Also do post pictures of the chicks
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Jun 5, 2018 5:58:39 GMT
hitman
Normal Violet
Posts: 161
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Post by hitman on Feb 22, 2020 22:09:56 GMT
A little update the first chick hatched today 😍. Looks healthy enough and is squeaking away. Havnt seen mum feed the chick yet but Im sure shes been feeding it. I can see with her tail movements from the entrance to the nesting box
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Feb 22, 2020 22:58:23 GMT
Yeah! Here's hoping you have healthy chicks and mom and dad take good care of them.
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Feb 7, 2020 20:28:59 GMT
maryann
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 59
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Post by maryann on Feb 22, 2020 23:45:06 GMT
Congratulations! How exciting! My breeding experience is with cockatiels. I imagine it isn’t a whole lot different. Keeping the nest box clean is a must as is the health of mom and dad. Fresh fruit and veggies daily and supplements. I also hand fed the babies. Not 100% of course but to tame them. I don’t know if it’s done for budgies. It is fun and rewarding! My breeders were always separate from all others. I’m so happy for you! If I can be of help, just ask!
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Post by clt80 on Feb 23, 2020 10:02:12 GMT
Oh how lovely. I'd suggest some shavings to line the floor of the box, helps with cleaning but also more comfortable for chicks than a wood floor. Look forward to watching these eggs hatch and the chicks grow.
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Post by blue48 on Feb 23, 2020 10:17:28 GMT
Congratulations! I always think they look like baby dinosaurs, or what I'd imagine they looked like.
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Jun 5, 2018 5:58:39 GMT
hitman
Normal Violet
Posts: 161
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Post by hitman on Feb 23, 2020 10:26:40 GMT
Oh how lovely. I'd suggest some shavings to line the floor of the box, helps with cleaning but also more comfortable for chicks than a wood floor. Look forward to watching these eggs hatch and the chicks grow. I have the wood shavings ready. The hen took away the shavings from the egg hatching area and put them to the sides of the box. Should I add more? I don't want to disturb them too much. I can still hear the chick this morning so looks like a good sign
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Post by jellybean on Feb 23, 2020 11:49:32 GMT
Sorry can't help too much here hitman, but I have heard other forum members say to keep shavings in to save the young from developing splayed legs. Good luck with it all. Look forward to updates on this new little one.
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Post by clt80 on Feb 23, 2020 12:02:11 GMT
Yes, if she goes out to feed put the shavings in. Plenty of it and put baby and eggs on top of it. She will scrat it about and make a mess but that's what they do. When all the eggs are hatches it will be poop overload and the shavings can be thrown out and replaced every other day.
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